Bush Delays, Studies Health Privacy Regs

The move stops rules that were due to effect on February
26, but now will be delayed until April 14 to give
lawmakers time to review and consider changes. Health care
providers would not be forced to fully comply with the
changes until April 14, 2003, officials said.

Private Parts

The rule would have blocked employer access to employee
and applicant medical information. In addition,
employers that administer their own health care plans would
have been barred from using medical information for
anything other than health care.

The delay has been promoted by major insurers and health
maintenance organizations (HMOs), claiming that the rules
represent “unworkable standards” and will cost billions of
dollars a year to implement.

Critics of the Clinton approach claim the changes will
cost up to $18 billion over the next decade.
Supporters say it will actually save $12 billion by
streamlining regulations and billing practices.

While the Bush administration is reportedly in favor of
patient privacy, they are expected to pursue cheaper
alternatives.

Under the proposed regulations,

doctors and hospitals would be required to obtain
written consent before using a patients’ health
information, even for routine purposes

patients would have the right to access their own
medical files, as well as the right to request amendments
or corrections.